Variable speed mechanism



Oct. 9 1923.

B. HALL VARIABLE SPEED MECHANISM Figfi 4060 7 3/ 2726 e 6' IHEEB 2* 24 gW 44 4a 46 39 54 IIIIIIIIIIIIIHF' Inventor Bicknell Hall, @1122) Oct. 9,1923. 1,470,560 B. HALL VARIABLE SPEED MECHANISM Original Filed March 241917 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.4. Fig.6.

Invenior: Bicknellflal,

m H 3 Z a PM M, m 2 [M7 i 1 mm F l B HALL VARIABLE SPEED MECHANISMoriginal Filed March 24, 1917 Oct. 9 1923.

B. HALL VARIABLE SPEED MECHANISM Oct. 9

, 1-917 4 Sheets-Sheet 4- Original Filed March 24 Patented Oct. 9, 1923.

UNITED STATES 1,47%60 rarenr orrics.

BICKNELL HALL, OF ABINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO HALL (30., OFBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

VARIABLE-SPEED lzIECHANISM.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, BIC'KNELL HALL, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of Abington, in the county of Plymouth and State ofMassachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Variable-Speed Mechanism,of which the following description, in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawingsrepresenting like parts.

This application is a continuation of my co-pendingapplication SerialNo. 157.248, renewed hlarch 24-, 1917, and originally filed February 23,1911., No. 610,295, and also in part and as to certain common sub- .jectmatter a continuation of my application Serial No. 204,100, a renewal ofSerial No. 507.616, originally filed July 14, 1909, and with whichapplications the present application was copending.

This invention relates to variable speed mechanism, the object thereofbeing to pro Vido an improved, simplified and compact construction. Thenature of my invention will best appear from a description of anembodiment thereof selected for illustrative purposes and shown in theaccompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a speedvaryingmechanism embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical, longitudinal, central section of the mechanismshown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 2 is a detail showing a modified form of my invention;

F is a longitudinal, horizontal section taken at ght angles to that ofFig. 2

and upon the line 33 of said figure;

Fig. 1 is a transverse section upon the line i;-----Ii: of Fig. 2looking to the left in said. figure and representinrr the relation ofone set of'segments or gear segments to its adjacent fixed hearing whenthe adjacent mljustable disk bearing and its transmission ring areeccentric to a greater extent than said fixed bearing.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2 looking to theright in said figure and representing the relation of the ot er set ofsegments or gear segments to i adjacent fir-zed bearing when said fixedring; and adjacent adjustable disl: bearin and its transmission ring arearranged wi lh sad adjustable.bearing eccentric to a greater extent thansaid fixed bearing;

This application filed September 29,

Fi 6 is a side elevation with parts broken away of, a series of segmentsor gear segments constituting one set; v

F ig. 7 is a face view thereof;

Fig. 8 is a vertical, longitudinal section thereof;

Fig. 9 is a vertical, transverse section taken through one of theadjustable disk bearings and the pinion and rack for adjusting the same;

F 10 is a similar view taken through the other adjustable disk bearing};and the pinion and rack for adjusting the same;

Fig. 11 is a transverse section similar to Fig. t of the parts, when thefixed disk bearing and adjustable disk bearing and its transmission ringare eccentricallyv arranged, the adjustable bearing being); concentricwith shaft at. V i

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11 of the second set of gear segments;

Fig. 13 is an end elevation representing in full and dotted lines oneform of means for changing the position of the adjustable disk bearings;

14; is a side elevation of the main or drive shaft;

F lQfS. 15 to 22 inclusive are diagrams representing the path ofmovement of both the fixed disk bearings. and their segments or gearsegments, with respect to the internal fixed driving surfaces during asingle cycle of said fixed disk bearings, the parts being arranged as inFig. at;

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive, upon a suitable base (notshown) are erected two end standards 1, 2 constituting, it may be, apartial casing and here shown as having loosely mounted in the upperpart thereof a horizontal shaft 3 having fast thereon a pulley 3 fromwhich power may be taken. If. desired, the mechanism may besubstantially wholly enclosed. Within bearings in said standards ismounted a drive shaft 4 having keyed thereon a pulley 5 to which powermay be applied from any suitable source, whereby the shaft may be drivenat a constant speed in one direction. Asshown most clearly in Fig. 1 1,the drive shaft has formed with or fast thereon the circularbuteccentric bearings 6, 6' and rectangular seats 7, 7 here shown asoppositely protruding from the shaft. but which may be formed or mountedthereon in any suitable manner. lVhile my invention may be embodied in aconstruction having a single fixed disk bearing composed of a pluralityof parts, a single adjustable disk bearing and related parts to behereinafter de scribed, preferably I employ a plurality, and in thepresent embodiment of the invention a pair of each of said bearings andrelated parts. The rectangular seats 7, 7 are here shown as of oppositeeccentricity with respect to the drive shaft ,4: to provide a runningbalance. Inasmuch as in this embodiment of the invention various partsare duplicated, it will be necessary to describe in detail but one setof parts excepting in so far as it is essential to make clear thedifferent circumferential positions of certain of the members of saidset of parts. I shall describe in detail the parts shown at the left inFig. 3 and in detail in Figs. 6, 7 and 8.

Loosely mounted upon the circular bearing (5 is a series of segments orgear segments or segmental members herein numbered 12, 13, 14, 15 andshown in this embodiment of my invention as having smooth or frictiondriving surfaces, the efi'iciency whereof may be augmented'if desired bythe en'iployment of fiber or other plugs a set into sockets 7 in thedriving faces of the said segments or gear segments and therein confinedby screws or otherwise. If desired and as shown in Fig. 2, the saidsegments may be roughened or similarly formed, as by providing them withsaw teeth cl formed as alter nate circumferential ridges and grooves toengage with a similar circumferentially extending ridge and grooveformation 6 upon the surface with which they periodically engage. Thesesegments or gear segments are each provided or formed with ringsnumbered respectively 8, 9,10, 11, which are directly and loosely seatedupon the said bearing 6. In other words, each segment is composed of thegear segment portion and its hub or ring that is seated upon the hearing6, and whereby said segments are slid ably supported. for angularmovement relatively to the shaft and bearings 6,6.

Upon the rectangular seat 7, as shown most clearly inF-ig. 9, ispositioned a slotted disk bearing 16, the diametra'l slot 17 thereofbeing of such length as to permit the shifting of the disk bearing 16 soas to vary its eccentricity with referei'ice to the drive shaft -51.lVhile any suitable means may be employed to vary the eccentricitythereof, preferably I form with or attach to one of the walls of theslot17 a rack .LS meshing with an elongated pinion 19 mounted within thedrive shaft 4, which for that purpose is made hollowfor a port-ion ofits length as represented in Fig. 3. Inasmuch as the eccentricity of thesegments 12, 13, 1 1 and 15 and their rings 8. 9, 10 and 1], isunchangeable, I shall herein term the part 6 whereon they are mountedthe fixed disk bearing, and as the eccentricity of the slotted bearing16 may be Varied or eliminated as desired, I shall term the same theadjustable disk bearing.

Surrounding the segments or gear segments 12, 13, 1 1, 15 and the fixeddisk bearing whercon they are loosely mounted and formed integrally ifdesired with the stand ard 1, is an annular portion or member having anannular surface 20 herein shown as an internal engaging surface upon andagainst which said segments are adapted to drive, and the standard 2 ispreferably similarly formed to furnish a corresponding annular portionor member having an annular surface 20 to cooperate with the other setof segments or gear segments.

The said segments or gear segments or members 12, 13, 14 or 15 are eachof any suitable circumferential extent and their hub or ring portions 8,9, 10 and 11 are preferably nested together as most clearly shown inFigs. 6 and 8 for simplicity and compactness of construction; that is tosay, the hub or ring portion of the segment 12 is at its upper partcircumferentially recessed, as indicated at 21, to receive parts of thehubs or rings 10 and 11 of the segments 13, 1-1, 13; the ring 10 iscircumferentially and oppositely rezessed to receive parts of the rings8, 9, 11; and the other rings 9, 11 are correspondingly shaped at pointsdian'ietrally opposed. to each other, so that each ring receives aportion of the three other rings or such other number of rings of itsset as may be employed. This arrangement is adopted for simplicity andcompactness of construction, but it is to be understood that any othersuitable com stuction may be employed and that the number of segments ormembers may b varied as found desirable. The ring portions 8, 9, 10, 11of the segments 12, 13,1 1 and are loose upon the bearing 6, so as to bemoved circumferentially thereon when the eccentricity of the adjacentadjustable disk bearing is varied. Herein, I have shown the segments 12,13, 141: and 15 as friction gears: that is to say, they are transmissiongears, preferably devoid of teeth. but acting as transmission gea byreason of engagement; of their preferably smooth surfaces 12, 13, 14,15, with the preferably smooth inter-- nal surface constituting areactance element. For this reason immediately upon being brought intocontact with said internal surface 20, they assume a cooperatingrelation with regard thereto.

Each of the said segments 12. 1 -3. 1+1, 15 is provided with a pin 2 1extending longitudinally of the drive shaft 1 and seated in sockets 2 1in the faces of the said segments. Upon each of said pins is rotatablymounted a block 23. As indicated in Fig.

3, these blocks are applied to the faces of the segments adjacent theinner face of the standard 1 so as to form an annular series. The saidblocks 23 may be shifted from time to time as hereinafter more fullydescribed in varying the eccentricity of the adjacent adjustableeccentric bearing 16.

Loose upon the adjustable eccentric hearing 16 is a transmission ring2;") herein represented as made in two parts, 26, 27 for convenience inassembling. If desired, these parts may be provided with outer flangesoverlapping the adjustable disk bearing 16. The two parts 26, 27 of thesaid transmission ring are suitably secured together by means of screws28. That portion of the transmission ring 25 that is positioned next thesegments 12, 13, 11- and 15 and their ring portions 8, 9, 10, 11 isprovided upon its face adjacent said segments with a suitable andcorresponding number of radial grooves 29, which in this embodiment ofmy invention are four in number and are positioned at right angles toeach other, the end of one of said grooves being shown in Fig. 1 and theother grooves being formed with relation thereto as indicated. Withineach of said grooves is arranged the appropriate block 23 of one of thesegments 12, 13, 11, 15.

The drive shaft 4; as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 141 is provided with acircular hub 31), loose whereon is a gear or member 31. herein termedthe driven element and from which power may be conveyed in any suitablemanner, as by means of a pinion 32 meshing therewith and fast upon theshaft 3 loosely mounted in suitable bearings 3333 in the standards 1, 2and provided with the fast pulley 3 from which power may be taken. Ifdesired, the member 31 may be connected by direct belting to a pulley,or power may be taken in any other suitable manner from the gear ormember 31.

Positioned between the driven gear 3 and transmission ring is aso-called unison ring 33. As represented most clearly in Figs. 1, 2, 3,the faces of the gear or member 31 adjacent each unison ring 36 areprovided with diametral ribs 34, said ribs upon opposite faces beingpreferably at right. angles to each other. In the adjacent face of eachunison ring 36 is a diametral groove shown most clearly in Fig. 1.

The face of each unison ring that is adj acent its companiontransmission ring 25 is provided with a groove 38, and the adjacent faceof each transmission ring is provided with a lug 37 engaging therewith.The lugs and grooves upon the two pairs of unison rings and transmissionrings are preferably arranged at right angles to each other. T n thismanner circumferential movement is conveyed from each transmission ring25 to its unison ring 36 and from the unison rings 36 to the driven gearor member 31.

'of elements or that shown in Fig Instead of the unison ring, or rings,I may employ any suitable means for conveying movementfrom thetransmission ringto the driven element 31, provided such means conveysmovement uniformly; that is, provided such movement does not alter orvary in transmission the speed of movement imparted to it by thetransmission ring. which imparted speed of movement varies with eachadjustment of the adjustable disk hearing.

I have thus far described the preferred construction of parts involvingthe one 3 at the left of the driven gear 31. The construction of partsmaking up the second set of elements or that shown in Fig. 3, at the 1:itof the driven gear 31, when the second set of elements is employed maybe, and pref-- erably is. substantially identical with that alreadydescribed.

In Fig. 1, I have represented the segments or members 12, 13, 14, 15 ofthe first set of elements viewing Fig. 3, and it will be noted that inthe position of parts represented in Figs. 1 and 5, the segments 12, 13,1 1, 15 are arranged respectively at an angle of 15" to the gearsegments 12 13", 14", 15 of the second or right hand set of saidsegments viewing Fig. 3. In the embodiment of the invention herein shownthe diametral groove in the opposite or right hand face of the drivengear 31 is at right angles to that shown in the left hand face, andconsequently the diametral groove on the adjacent face of the right handtransmission ring is shown in this embodiment of the invention as atright angles to that shown in the left hand transmission ring. Thisconstruction is not, however, necessary, but is preferably employed inthat embodiment of the invention here illustrated. The grooves 29 in theouter face of the right hand transmission ring for the reception of theblocks 23 of the transmission gears 12", 13, 14:, 15, are respectivelyat an angle of to the similar grooves 29 in the face of the left handtransmission ring 25 indicated in Fig. 1. It will. be understood thatthe number of grooves in the several parts and their angular arrangementwill be varied in dif forent embodiments of my invention in accordacewith the number of segments or gear segments employed.

Having reference first to Fig. 4*, it will be apparent that when theshaft at is rotated clockwise, the segments 12, 13, 14, 15 will gyrateabout said 't in the manner of an eccentric strap. Said segmentsconsecutively and frictionally engage with a driving engagement theadjacent internal friction or preferably smooth surface 20. The saidsegments together with their ring portions roll about the said internalsurface 20, the said segments being in frictional engage- Inenttherewith, and if said segments together provided an uninterrupted.driving surface, the latter would constantly frictionally engage thesaid internal friction surface 20. Inasmuch, however, as the saidsegments 12, 1.3, 14, 15 are preferably spaced substantially as shownand as neither set of said segments in itself makes a complete Thismovement of the gear segments 12, 13, 14, 15 contraclockwise is impartedby the pins and blocks 23, 24 of said seg ments or gear segments to thetransmission ring 25 and thence through the unison ring 36 or othersuitable connections to the driven gear 31 or other driven element,thereby driving the same in a direction opposite to that of thedirection of movement of the drive shaft 4. It is, of course, evidentthat the drive shaft 4may be rotated in either Ll11'6(fit1()11,fl16driven gear31 being thereby rotated in an opposite direction in thatrelation of theparts thus far described.

Viewing Fig. 4, it will. he noted that in this embodiment of theinvention the segments, members or gear segments 12, 13, 14 15 and 12,13", 14", 15 are complementally arranged with respect to each other, sothat the two sets of segments or gear segncnts together constitutesubstantially a complete or uninterrupted driving member or gear. Aspreviously stated, the segments 12, 13, 14, 15 pertaining to one of thefixed disk bearings are'each of a fixed or unvarving eccentricity. Theeccentricity of the disk bearing 16 may be made equal to that of thefixed disk hearing, or it may differ therefrom to any extent within thelimits imposed by the capacity for adjustment of the said disk 16, beingmade greater or less than the same desired. 1V ithin the scope of myinvention the disk 16 may be adjusted to any desired extent, thusvarying its eccentricity to any desired degree. If the adjustable disk16 be so positioned upon its seat that it is of the same eccentricit asthe fixed disk bearing carrying the segments 12, 13, 14, 1.5, then theadjacent transmission ring 25 is of the same eccentricity as the saidfixed disk bearing and upon rotation of the drive shaft 4 in eitherdirection, the said segments 12, 18, 14, 15 roll about within. that partof the standard 1 having the internal friction surface 20 and in drivingengagement or contact therewith, but with the consequent reverserotationof the said segments or gear segments and consequently with thereverse rotation of the driven gear or member 31 at speed which is thesame as that at which the said gear 31 would be driven were the saideight segments 12, 13 14, 15, 12", 13", 14", 15 assembled in fixedrelation to constitute a single complete gear rolling about and infrictional engagement with the internal surfaces 20. If the eccentricityof the disk 16 exceeds that of the fixed disk bearing carry ing thesegments 12, 13, 14, 15, then the speed of the gear 31 is increased overthat just referred to, and if it be less than that of the said segments12, 13, 14, 15, then the speed of the gear or member 31 is less thanthat above indicated.

ln Fig. 4 the center of rotation of the shaft 4 is indicated at A whilethe center of the lixed disk bearing for the segments 12, 13, 14, 15 isindicated at C and of the adj ustablc disk bearing and the transmissionring 25 is indicated at B, the eccentricity of the latter exceeding thatof the fixed disk hearing. The several segments 12, 13, .14, 15 are gorelated to each other that axial lines drawn through their blocks 23,which blocks are swingable about their pins 24,

intersectat the center B of the adjustable disk bearing 16 with thepreviously stated result of driving the gear 31 at a speed in excess ofthat which would be obtained by rolling a gear composed of the segmentsherein illustrated in fixed relation within and engaging the adjacentsurface 20 and with the same eccentricity as that of the fixed dis:bearing. Such eccentricity may he varied by moving the slotted diskhearing 16, viewing Fig. 9, outward from the axis of the shaft 4 toobtain a still greater speed of the gear 31 or inward toward the axis ofsaid shaft, this inward movement being of any desired extent within thecapacity of the mechanism to obtain the desired diminution of speed ofthe driven gear 31.

As, however, the eccentricity of the adjustable disk bearing 16 is madedifferent from that of the fixed. disk bearing carrying the segments 12.13, 14, 15, by moving the former toward the axis of the shaft 4, thatis, toward the point A in Fig. 4, the result is to enforce a newposition of the trans mission ring 25, the unison ring 36 adaptingitself to any position of adjustment. The adjustment of the disk bearing16 and consequently of the transmission ring 25 conr pels arepositioning of the segments 12, 1;}, 14, 15, as indicated for examplein Fig. 11. in which the adjustable disk bearing shown moved intoeonccntricity with the shaft 4. This repositioning of the segmentalgears is due to the fact that the movement of the transmission ring 25toward the axis of the shaft 4 enforces a similar inward movement of theblocks 23 and their studs Inn toward the axis of said shaft; that is, ofsuch blocks and studs as do not occupy a vertical position.

The positioning of the adjustable disk bearing 16 so as to change itsecentricity with respect to that of the segments 12, 13, 14, carriedupon the fixed disk bearing, institutes a secondary or neutralizinggyration of said adjustable disk bearing 16, which neutralizes to agreater or less extent that of the Still continuing primary gyration ofthe fixed disk bearing, the extent of the neutralization being dependentupon the extent of change in position of the adjustable disk bearing 16,the result being a rotation of the driven gear 31 still in the reversedirection to that of the drive shaft 1 but at a different speed withrespect to that ohained when the eccentric disk bearnig 16 and thesegments 12, 13, 1 1, 15 are of the same eccentricity. The nearer theadjustable disk bearing 16 be moved toward. concentricity with thecenter of rotation A of the drive shaft d,that is, the less its owngyration, the greater will be the neutralizing effect of the saidsecondary gyration,that is, of the adjustable disk bearing 16,and hencethe less will be the resultantrate of rotation of the driven gear 31,but still in a direction the reverse of that of shaft 41-, or in otherwords, the less will be the rate of rotation of the transmission ringThe greater the difference between the primary and secondary gyrationsthe greater the change of speed of the driven gear 31 with respect tothe drive shaft 1. If the adjustable disk bearing 16 be moved until itis in concentrici'ty with the center of rotation of the drive shaft 1-,then the gyration of the disk bearing 16 wholly ceases, and thereforesaid dish wholly neutralizes the main or primary gyratiim of the fixeddisk bearing, on which is mounted the segments 12, 13, 14, 15, hecauseof the now existing difference between the movement of the fixed andadjustable disk bearings, thereby causing the main drive shaft 1 torotate without any driving effect upon the gear or member 31. If thisadjustment of the disk bearing 16 be con-- tinued in the same directionuntil the center of the transmission ring is shifted to the other sideof the axis of the drive shaft 4 from that shown in. the drawings. thenthere is instituted a secondary gyration, which is not a neutralizationof but is supplemental to the n'iain or primary gyration of the fixeddisk bearing, with the result that the gear 31 is now driven in the samedirection as the driving shaft 4, but at a speed dependent upon theamount of such secondar and now supplementary gyration. The speed ofrotation. of the gear or member 56. in the same direction as that of thedrive shaft 1 is dependent merely upon the extent of adjustment of thedisk bearing 16, or in other words, the extent of adjustment of thecenter of the transmission ring 25 to the other side of the axis of theshaft 41- may be as great as desired. Thus my invention contemplates thereverse driving of the gear or member 31 at any speed, and the forwarddriving of said gear or member at any speed with adjustment of the partsto effect any intermediate speed of said gear or member 31 in eitherdirection.

In Fig. 4, I have illustrated the position of the segments or gearsegments 12, 13, 141, 15 at one position of adjustment of the diskbearing 16, the segment 12 being then in frictional (,lriving engagementwith the fixed internal friction surface 20, with the resultant movementof the said segment 12 contraclockwise. The continued rotation of thedrive shaft 1 clockwise rolls the said segments 12, 13, 1 1, 15 andtheir ring portions 8, 9, 10, 11 about within the said surface 20, andduring such movement of the shaft 4: the said segments 12, 13, 14, 15come consecutively into frictional driving contact with the saidinternal friction surface 20, thereby compelling continued rotation ofthe gear or member 31.

From an inspection of diagrams 15 to 22 inclusive, it will be apparentthat upon the described rotation of the shaft 4 in a clockwisedirect-ion, as the segment 12 moves from its position of engagement withthe internal friction surface 20, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 15, thesegment 14: is brought into frictional or driving engagement with theother internal friction surface 20' (Fig. 1.6), and that as it in turnis withdrawn from such engagement, the segment 13 is brought intoengagement (Fig. 17), this action being continued with other segments,in the order shown. The result is an engagement with the frictionsurfaces 20 of one or more of all the segments at all times, the saidsegments being of such extent: that before one is withdrawn from suchengagement another is brought thereinto. The employment of segmentspermits the true rolling action of the successive members into and outof engagement with the fixed internal friction surfaces 20 in thestandards 1, 2.

Comparing Figs. 11, 12, it will be evident that whatever be the adjustedeccentricity of the bearing disks l6, 16. the resultant positions of thesegments 12. 13, 1 1, 15, 12", 13, 11, 15", are such that one of saidgear segments is constantly in frictional driving contact with one orthe other of the internalv frictional surfaces 20, thereby compelling aconstant rotationof the driven gear 31. After a segment is rolled out ofengagement with its internal frictional surface 20, its subsequentposition is ii'mnaterial until it is again brought into drivingengagementwith its said frictional surface. It matters not that incertain positions of adis in driving engagement with its internalfriction surtaz'e 20 at the same time, nor

that in certain positions of adjustn'ient all segments of one set or theother be spaced a greater distance apart than in other positions ofadjustment, for whatever he the positions of adjustmentt-he gap betweenadjacent segments of one set is always bridged by a segment of theOpPOSitt set, thereby compelling continuous rotation of said driven gearor member In said Figs. 15 to 22 inclusive, the successive' positions ofthe segments or members 12, 13, 14, 15 are indicated in full lines andthe successive positions of thescginents or members 12", 1.3", 14", 15are indicated in dotted lines.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that't-h'esegments, members or gear segn'ientsot both sets always travel in thesame gyratory path with relation to the fixed disk bearings 6,6,inasmuch as they are provided with rings or' hubs 8, 9, 10, 11 looselymounted upon the fixed disk bearings" 6, Duringsuch gyratory movement,they roll around within and in fric tional driving engagement of thefrictional internal surfaces 20. The speed of rotation of the shaft andeccentrics is always the same, and when the adjustable eccentrics 16,16"are of the same "eccentricity as the fixed e centrics, then,'aspreviously stated, the resulting speed ofth'e driven gear or member 31equals that derived from coin plete gears rolling within and infrictional engagement withthe said internal frictional surfaces 20. "Byaltering the eccentricity of the said adjustable diSkbearingS 16, 16however, the-circular path of movei'nent of thecenters of the saidadjustable disk bear ings 16,116 is increased or decreased in diameteraccording as theeicentricity of said disks is increased or diminished.If: the circular path of 111(iVGil'lQllt of the centers oi theeccentrics 16 and 1,6 equals that of the centers of the segments 12, 13,14, 15 and 12", 13'', 14k", '15", then, asstated, the resulting speed isthat of complete gears roll ing in frictional, driving engagement withthe fixed internal frictional surfaces 20, but it the circular path oithe man er the eccentric '16, 16 exceeds that of the centers of thesegments 12, 13, LL 15, 12-, 13.14, 15, the resulting speed is more, andii the disk 16, 16' be brought in concentricity with the shaft L thecircular path of the centers of the said disk 16, 16' is reduced to apoint or disa 'ipears, with the result that no driving movement isimparted by the said disks 16, 16 tothe gear or member 31.

Viewing Figs. 9 and 10, it will be evident that the eccentric disks 16,16 are oppositely positioned upon the shaft 4 to provide a runningbalance and that the slot 17 in said disk 16 is represented in Fig. 9 asopening downwardly, whereas the slot 17 in the disk .16 is'represented1n Flg. 10"as opening upwardly. While said eccentrics may be similarlyor otherwise positioned, I prefer the opposite positionin hereinillustrated, as it affords a more etiective balancing of the parts inoperation. 2 I

The pinion or pinions 19 may be rotated in any suitable manner to adjustthe eccentric disk bearings 16, 16; that is, to vary their eccentricity.Herein as shown in Fig. 3, a single elongated pinion 19 is employed toadjust both disk bearings 16, 16. In order rotatively to adjust saidpinion 19, I have herein represented it as having formed therewith onits outer end a pinion 39;as shown most clearly in F i 2 meshing with agear 10 loose upon a stud 41 carried by a gear segment 42, the upper endwhereof has an angularly extendin stud 43 mounted in a bearing 14: in asuitable standard 45. The end 16 of said pinion 39 is shown as extendinginto said gear segment 42 coaxially with the pivotal stud 43 of thelatter. The lower end ofsaid gear segment 42 proyidedwith teeth 17meshing with a horizontally positioned worm 48 upon the outer endwhereof is a beyelledpinion 49 meshing with. a similar pinion 50 on ashort shaft'51 mounted in bearings 52 of the frame and having at itsupper end an adjusting hand wheel 53; The drive shaft 4 has upon the endthereof-oppositethe pulley 5 a circumferential series of teeth 54 withwhich mesh the teeth of a gear 55 loose upon a stud 56 mounted in thestandard 1. Between the gear 55 and the gear'dO is a unison or othertransmission ring 57 generally similar to the unison rings 36 in Fig. 3.The gear 55 is provided with a diametral groove 58 to receive acorresponding rib 59 2) upon the unison ring 57 and the opposite lace ofsaid unison ring is provided with a diametral rib 60 preferablypositioned at right angles to the rib 59 to enter the correspondinggroove 61 oi the gear 510. The pinions 39 and M are of the same size andnormally rotate together and at the same speed. since the elongated.pinion 1 9 is within and rotating with the shaft i carrying pinion Alsothe gears 41-0 and 55 are of the same size and are normally idly drivenabout their own axes and at the same speed by the pinions 559 and 54;.

' 1V hen it is desired to adjust the pinion 19 so as to change theeccentricity of the eccentrics 16, 16. the gear segment 41-2 is swung inan are about its stud 413 as a pivot, through the worm 418, by means ofthe hand wheel This arcuate movement of the segment 4-2 compels a bodilymovement of the gear 40 carried thereby, about the center of said gearsegment, and of the pinion 39, said movement permitted the unison ring57.

ill l Said gcar- -10 constantly meshes with said pinion 39 and isconsintly rotating therewith at a speed proportional to that of saidpinion and also at the same speed as that of gear with which it isconnected through said unison ring. Said bodily movement of gear 40,which latter is prevented from turning relatively to the gear by saidunison ring, therefore gives to the pinion 39, on elongated pinion 19, arelative movement in one direction 01' the other, the said pinion 19-thereby being angular-1y adjusted within and relatively to the shaft tin one direction orthe other depending upon the direction of turning ofthe luunflwheel 53, worm d8 and segment 1'2. Said relative movement 01'.the elongated pinion 19 moves the racks 18, 1 thereby to adjust theadjustable eccentric bearings l6, 16. From the "foregoing it will beclear that said adjustment may be made while the transmission mechanismis in operation, or while stationary, it being unnecessary to interruptthe turning of shaft 4 to make any desired shift in speed transmitted.

In the device illustrated herein the drivinz belt is applied to thedriving pulley 5, which, with its shaft 4 and eccentric bearings 6. 6and 16, 16 transmit rotary motion to and through the other parts of thedevice. hence said driving pulley, its shalt, and said eccentricbearings may together he considered as the driving elen'ient, or any oneor them might be so considered, upon the understanding that theeffective axis that which transmits motion to the straps and the ear 31.Said eflj'ective axis is a resultant or the fixed eccentricity of the beings 6 and 6 and the adjustable ecceurims/er the bearings l6, 16 asheretofore described and is adjustable as to its path ot' movementaccording to the adjustment oii said bearings 16, 16. in other words,the eii ective axis of the driving member or group of membersconstituting what I have herein rctcrred to as the driving element ofthe device, is the gyrating axis about which are grouped the pins 24 ofthe segments resultant of the relative adjustment ot the axes ol theeccentric hearings. which latter are upon. driven by and t. .a ethcrdetermine the etl ctive axis of the driving clement ot' the device n thedevice illustrated. power is tal -cu from the rings or straps 27 thoughthe -n rings 36 and the gear 31, and said tors. together Or separately,may be considered the driven clement oi the device. The a. of said ringsor straps 23, constitut ng driven elements and ot the drit. elementheretofore in"ioncd are adjustable into positidns of or or or lessrelative eccentricity.

Uperatively interposed between the driving and driven elements are thegroups of segments or members having segmentally shaped and segmentallyeffective driving or movement-imposing portions l2l5 and 12 to 15 havinarcuatc engagement or driving surfaces and which serve to transmitmotion and power from the driving element to the driven element. Eachsuch segment together with its respective and herein in tegral ringportion 8 to 11, block 23 and pin 21- constitute one 'form of what maycon veniently be termed a driving unit for trans mitting motion from thedriving to the driven elements. The driving units of each group areherein distributed in a single plane about the axes of the driving anddriven elements and are operatively connected with one of said elements,herein the driving element, in a crank-likemanner, that is to say, thedriving units are moved by the drive shaft and eccentrics and theconnections therewith in the manner of a crank to impart movement to therings 25, which crank furnishes the connection between said drivingelement and the driving unit or units.

llith the eccentric bearings 16 or 16 adjusted into any eccentricposition differing from that of the unadjusta le eccentric bearings 6.'6 the outer portion of each driving unit where the curved surface of asegment engages the annular member having the herein internal engagingor engagement surface 20, makes intermittent engagement with saidsurcace, and the points of such intermittent engagement change or areadjustable around the circumference thereof since at each succeedingengagement each of said units engages a new portionot said surface 20 ofthe annular member more or less removed from that or those previouslyengaged, the points of engagement; progressing around the said surface20 En steps determined as to the period, spacing. or rapidity Ofengagement according to the extent of relative eccentricity abovei'l'lGIltlODGCl.

In engaging and disengaging from said driving surface each driving unitapproaches and rece iles therefrom in a rolling manner, that is to say.the action is such that the two members, so to speak, roll together andaway from each other: not only is the action of meeting and recedingthereby made easy and susceptible o't ready and ellectivc guiding butthe period oil etl'cctive driving con tact or engagement between thesame may thereby be prolonged. Such engagement and discngagement ol theeffective driving parts relieves the same of: unnecessary frictionalengagement between successive points of intermittent engagen'ient andrenders also the adjustment of the transmission from one to anotherspeed more easy, mechanical and etlicient. Thus, while the engagement isintermittent. it varies in duration according to the relativeeccentricity of the axes of the drivi element and the driven elements 25and .eordmgly varying the transmission obtained thereby or therefrom.

Each of the scgmentally shaped members or driving units in its movementtoward and from its engaged element moves in an endless path until thelimit of movement is reached where it moves directly radially in astraight line, as stated, and whatever its movement, whether in astraight line or in an endless path the driving units, at theireffective driving portions, approach and recede from the engaged elementin a general direction that s substantially normal to that element inthe region of that engagement. With re ation to said approach andrecession. therefore, the engaged face or surface 20 may be termed anabutment face although the line of thrust thereon may not besubstantially normal to it.

Where the driving units and engaged elements a 'e not provided with gearteeth, as in the present instance, an adjustment in speed due toadjustment of the axes of the driving element and of the driven elements25 into positions of greater or less eccentricity is obtained which maybe carried uninterruptedly through any intermediate speed from minimumto the maximum and without steps between the various ranges of speeds,In other words the rolling contact of the driving units and the engagedsurface is universally adjustable circumferentially of and upon saidsurface, giving a condition of universal speed adjustment. As hereinshown said points of contact or engagement are not only adjustableuniversally and circumferentially about the axis of the annular memberhaving the surface 20, as in my said copending application Serial No.507,616, filed July 14, 1909, but the driving units may malre suchcontact or engagement at any point oircumferentially upon said surface.

already observed, the points of engagemcnt of the driving units with theengaged element shift variably around the latter according to the extentof relative eccentricity of the eccentric bearings, and according to theradial position of the driving units relative to the driven rings 25; asthe said relative eccentricity is varied said radial position of theengaging unit is also varied. causing an accompanying variation in thespeed transmitted.

in the present instance itwill be noted that during the periods ofactual disengagemcnt between the segmental members and theelementengaged thereby. said segmental members are positively held orguided by their respective slidable ring portions 8 to 1]. Thus saiddriving units and the annular member having the surface 20 whetheractually engaged or for the time being disengaged, are always injuxtaposition Where they may readily be guided into the next engagementby suitable means as described.

1t will be evident from the foregoing description that in accordancewith the present embodiment of my invention I may from a drive shaftconstantly rotated in one direction, obtain any desired speed in eitherdirection of a driven gear or member, segmental members preferably beingemployed in effecting this result.

Having thus described one illustrative embodin'ient of my invention, Idesire it to be understood that although specific terms are employed,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes oflimitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the followingclaims.

Claims:

1. Speed varying mechanism comprising in combination, operativelyconnected driving and driven elements, said connections including one ormore interposed rotatable and variably gyratory members connected withsaid driven element, means variably to gyrate said member or members, aplurality of cooperating segments provided with driv-- 1 ing surfaces,said segments being operatively associated with said member or membersand with the driving element, and one or more relatively stationaryelements having a surface with which said segments are engageable torotate said gyratory member or members while gyrating.

2. Speed varying mechanism comprising in combination concentric drivingand ultimately driven elements, an interposed gyratory member rotatablewith said driven element, one or more segments having driving surfaces,said segments being operatively connected to said member, means withwhich said segments are engageable to cause relative angular movementbetween said segments and the driving element, means upon the drivingelement to effect said engagement and mechanisn'i to vary the radius ofgyration of said gyratory member.

Speed varying mechanism comprising in combination driving and drivenelements, the former including a drive shaft, a series of segmentscircumferentially arranged about said shaft, a reactance member withwhich said segments are engageable, means driven by said shaft to varythe radial position of one or more of said segments with respectto saidshaft and said .react-ance member, and o .)erative connections betweensaid segments and said driven element.

4. S peed varying mechanism comprising in combination, a drive shaft, anormally stationary annular element concentric with said shaft, agyratable and also rotatable member, means upon said shaft to gyratesaid member, and a circumferential series of intermittently effectiveengaging members engageable with said stationary element at any pointcircumferentially of the same and operatively connected with said shaftand with said gyratable member whereby said member is forced to rotateabout its own axis when caused to gyrate.

5. In transmission mechanism for converting constant rotary to variablespeed rotary motion, the combination of drive shaft, a circumferentialseries of segmental members, and fixed and adjustable gyratory meansconjointly supporting and positioning said segmental members about andupon said shaft. Y

(5. Speed varying mechanism comprising in combination driving and drivenelements, the former including a drive shaft, fixed and adjustabletransmission members thereon, and friction-drive means interposedbetween and operatively connected to said members.

7. Speed varying mechanism comprising in combination driving and drivenelements, the former including a drive shaft, fixed and adjustablegyratory transmission members mount-ed thereon, one of said membersbeing connected with said driven element, seg

mental driving means having driving surfaces, said means beinginterposed between and operatively connected to said transmis sionmembers, and an annular member having an engagement surface with whichsaid segmental means is universally engageable circumferentially.

8. Speed varying mechanism comprising in combination a drive shaft,driving and driven elements thereon, fixed and adjustable transmissionmembers upon said shaft, and friction drive means operatively connectingsaid transmission members and said driven element.

91 Speed varying mechanism comprising in combination a drive shaft,driving and driven elements respectively fast and loose thereon, andgyratory, friction-drive, segme: 1 transmission means between and operauvely connected to said driving and driven elements.

ll). Speed varying mechanism comprising in combination a drive shaft.iilriving and driven elements respectively fast and loose thereon,primary and secondary gyratory lrnmi-zn'iission members respectivelyconnected with said driving and driven elements, cooperating meansintermediate and operatively connected with said transmission membersand having engagement surfaces, and a reactance element with which saidsurfaces are engageable to communicate mogagement surface, means togyrate said segments about said shaft and into and out of engagementwith said surface, and means to cause said angular movement of thesegments about said shaft.

12. Speed varying mechanism comprising in combination driving and drivenelements, the forn'ier including a drive shaft, a gymtory memberthereon, means having arcuate engagement surfaces carried by saidgyratory member and circumferentially movable thereon, mechanismincluding a' reactance element to vary the circumferential relation ofsaid means and said gyratory member, and driving connections betweensaid means and said driven element.

13. Speed varying mechanism comprising in combination driving and drivenelements, the former including fixed and adjustable, gyratorytransmission members, means conjointly supported and positioned by saidtransmission members a reactance element with which said means isengageable, and a unison ring between one of said transmission membersand said driven element. I

let. Speed varying mechanism comprising in combination driving anddriven elements,

the former including a drive shaft, a seriesof segmental membersprovided with a circumfcrentially extending alternate rib and grooveformation, said segmental members being supported about said driveshaft, a member having a correspondingly formed internal engagementsurface, means cooperating with said drive shaft to roll said segmentalmembers within and in engaging relation to said surface, and controllingconnections between said segmental members and said driven element.

15, Speed varying mechanism comprising in combination driving and drivenelements, the former including a drive shaft, one or more segmentalmembers carried thereby, means including connections between saidsegmental members and said driven element lo vary the radial position ofsaid segments with spect to said shaft, a member having an annularsurface with which said segmental members are engageable, saidc0nnections between said segmental members anddriven element beingeffective to cause rotation of said element during engagen'ient of aidsegmental mei'nbers with said annular surface.

16. Speed varying mechanism comprising in combination driving and drivenelements, the former including a drive shaft, gyratory members thereonand of fixed and variable eccentricity respectively, a fixed memberhaving an internal engagement surface, means drivingly engageable withsaid surface, said means being adapted to be moved by said gyratorymembers conjointly and when in engagement with said surface to causerotation of one of said gyratory members, and operative connectionsbetween said last named gyratory member and the driven element.

17. Speed varying mechanism comprising in combination a drive shaft, adriven ele ment, and gyratory, friction-drive connections between saiddrive shaft and said driven element, adjustable to drive the latter at agreater or less or equal speed with respect to said drive shaft and ineither direction.

18. Speed varying mechanism comprising in combination a. drive shaft, adriven element thereon, gyratory members upon said shaft and of fixedand variable eccentricity respectively, and friction-drive connectionsbetween said members and said driven element.

19. Speed varying mechanism comprising in combination operativelyconnected rotatable driving and driven elements, said connectionsincluding an interposed gyratory member rotatable on its own axis andopera-- tively connected with said driven element, cooperating segmentalmembers connected with saidgyratory member, and means pe riodically torestrain one or more of said segmental members from movement and therebyto compel rotary movement of said gyratory member.

2Q. Speedvarying mechanism comprising); in combination operativelyconnected driv ing. anddriven elements, an interposed gyratory member,segments, and means operatively related to said gyratory member, andradially movable with respect to said seg ments to compel rotation ofsaid driven element.

21. A speed varying mchanism compris ing in combination operativelyconnected driving and driven elements, said connections including aninterposed k yratory and rotatable member having drivin connection withsaid driven element and means to vrate said gyratory member. a series ofso ments connected with said gyratory and rotatable member, a fixedmember against which the segments may be gripped in turn, and means togrip at least one of said ments against said member while releasingother segments therefrom, and thereby to compel rotary movement of saidgyratory member to drive said driven element,

22. Speed varying mechanism comprising in combination, driving anddriven ele ments, the former-including a drive shaft. a series ofsegments'loosely mounted about said shaft, a member having an internalsurface'with which said segments are engage able, means to vary theradial position of one or more of said segments with respect to saiddrive'shaftto produce intermittent, sequential engagement of saidsegments and said member, and a gyratory and rota table member connectedwith said segments and with saiddrivcn element and rotated by saidsegments when their position is so varied radially into engagement withsaid member having the internal surface.

23. Speed varying mechanism comprising in combination driving and drivenelements, the former including a drive shaft, fixed and adjustablegyratory transmission members thereon, driving connections between oneof said members and said driven element, a re a-ctance element andsegments interposed between and operatively connected to said members,and intermittently engageable with said reactance element.

24:. Speed varying mechanism comprising in combination driving anddriven ele ments, the former including a drive shaft, fixed andadjustable gyratory transmission members thereon, driving connectionsbotweon one of said members and said driven element, an annular memberhaving an internal surface provided with a circumferential alternate riband groove formation, a series of correspondingly formed segmentsshiftable with respect to said drive shaft and interposed between andoperatively connected to said members and intermittently engz'ageablewith said surface of said annular member.

25. Speed varyim mechanism com 'irising in combination driving anddriven elements, the former including a drive shaft, :1 series ofsegments eccentrically carried therein and. shiftable relativelythereto, a stationarv member having an internal surface with which saidsegments engage and natorv means actuated by said drive shaft and,adapted to be rotated by said segments and connected with said drivenelement to rotate the same.

26. Speed varying mechanism comprising in combination, driving anddriven elements, the former including a drive shaft .and meansinterposed between and consti tuting the operative connections betweensaid elements, said operative connections including a rotatablegyrat-ory member con-- nected to said driven element, a plurality ofsegmental members connected to said gyrzc tory member and each having adriving surface a stationary member with which said segmental membersare adapted each periodically to engage, and means upon said drive shaftto cause said segn'iental members periodically to engage said stationarymember whereby movement is imparted to said segmental. members andthence to said driven element.

27. Speed varying mechanism coi'nprising in. combination, operativelyconnected driving and driven elements, and means interposed between andconstituting the opera tive connection between said. elements, saidmeans including two gyratory members only one of which is rotatable uponits own axis,

lit)

(ill

said rotatable gyratory member being connected to said driven element, aplurality of cooperating segments having driving sun faces carried byone'of said members and connected with the other, and a stationarymember having a surface with which the driving surfaces of said segmentsare adapt-- ed to engage for the purpose of imparting movement to saidsegments and thence through said rotatable gyratory member to saiddriven element. 7

' 28. Speed varying mechanism comprising in combination, operativelyconnected driving and driven elements, a plurality of terposed gyratorymembers, gear means operable during movement of the parts, for adjustingthe extent of gyratory movement of one of said members, acircumferential series of segmental members provided with drivingsurfaces operatively related to and movable by said members, a memberwith which said segmental members are engageable, and means interposedbetween said segmental members and the driven element to drive thelatter from said segmental members.

29. Speed varying mechanism comprising in combination driving and drivenelements, the former including a drive shaft, fixed and adjustabletransmission members upon said shaft, operative connections between saidmembers themselves including a circumferential series of segmentsslidably supported upon one of said members and a ring loose upon theother of said members, said segments having both pivoted and slidingconnection with said ring, a surrounding an nular member with the innersurface of which said segments are adapted intermittently to engage, andoperative conne' tions between said ring and said driven element.

30. Speed varying mechanism comprising in combination a drive shaft,driving and driven elements respectively fast and loose thereon, saiddriving element including an eccentric transmission member upon saidshaft. ,q'yratory segmental transmission means circumferentially movableupon said trai'isiuission member and operatively connected to saiddriven element, means to vary the path' of movement of said segmentalmeans. and a member with which said segn'ieutal means is intermittentlyei'igageablc i sate the latter while gyrating.

Speed varying mechanism comprising in combination a drive shaft, drivingand driven elements respectively fast and loose thereon, said drivingelement including primary and secondary gyratory transmission members offixed and adjustable eccentricity respectively. a series of segmentscircumferentially movable upon one of said menib rs, means connectingsaid segments and said driven element for rotation in unison, said meansalso operatively associatingsaid segments and the other of said members,

and an annular member with which said segments are intermittentlyengageable to cause them to rotate while gyrating.

32. Speed varying mechanism comprising in combination driving and drivenelements, the former including a drive shaft, a gyratory member thereon,a series of segmentally shaped driving units supported for angularmovement about the axis of said gyratory member; an annular member withwhich said units have intermittent rolling engagement, the points ofsaid engagement being universally adjustable circumferentially about theaxis of said annular member, driving connections between said segmentally shaped units and said driven element and means to vary the radialposition of said units relative to the axis of said driven element.

33. Speed varying mechanism comprising in combination driving and drivenelements, the former including a pair of gyratory members in lateralalignment, a series of segmentally shaped driving units supported forangular movement about the axis of one of said members and positionablethereon by the other of said members, an annular memher with which saidunits are adapted for intermittent rolling engagement, said engagementof units and annular member being relatively adjustable universally in acircle about the axis of said annular member, driving connectionsbetween said segmentally shaped units and said driven element, and meansto vary the eccentricity of the other of said gyratory members therebyto vary the radial position of said units relative to the axis of saiddriven element.

34L Variable speed transmission means comprising in combinationrotatable driving and driven elements, meansrelatively to adjust theaxes of said elements into positions of greater or less eccentricity,segmentally shaped driving units distributed about the axes of saidelements. each such unit operatively connected with one of saidelements, an annular member having an internal driving surface withwhich said units have circumferentially adjustable, rolling drivingengagement, means to impart to said driving units and said annularmember relative movement of approach into and recession from effectivedriving engagement, and operative connections between said units and theother of said elements.

35, Variable speed transmission means comprising in combinationrotatable driving and driven elements, means relatively to adjust theaxes of said elements into posi tions of greater or less eccentricity.seg n'ientally shaped driving units distributed about the axes of saidelements, each such unit ojiieratively connected with one of saidelements, an annular member having an intit] t rnal surface with whichsaid units have rolling, driving engagement universally adjustable in acircumferential direction, means to impart relative movement in anendless path to said driving units and said annular member during whichmovement said driving units progressively approach .and recede fromeffective driving engagement with said surface, and actuatingconuc'ztzions between said units and the other of said elements.

36. Variable speed transmission means t-omprising in combination anoperatively :ociated train of elements including ro tatable driving anddriven elements, means relatively to adjustvthe axes of said drivingand, driven elements into positions of greater or less eccentricity,segmentally shaped driving units distributed about the axes of said lastnamed elements, each such unit operatively connected with one of saidelements and having intermittent rolling engagement with another elementof said train, the points ofsaid engagement being circumferentiallyadjustable universally about the axis of said element, and means toimpart relative movement in an endless path to said driving units andsaid ele ments during which movement said driving units progressivelyapproach and reccde from effective driving engagement with said engagedelement in a direction substantially normal to the latter in the regionof en gagement.

37; Variable speed transmission means comprising in combinationrotatable driving and driven elements, means relatively to adjust theaxes of said elements into positions of greater or less eccentricity,segmentally shaped driving units distributed about the axes of saidelements, each such unit operativelyconnected with one of said elements,an annular member having an internal engaging surface with which saidunits have intermittent circumferentially adjustable rollingengagemei'it, and means to in'ipart to each driving unit and its engagedelen'ientrelative movement of approach into and recession from etlectivedriving engagement, the points of engagement shitting progressivelyaround said engaged element in. steps dependent upon the eccentricity ofsaid axes.

38. Variable speed transmission means comprising in combination anoperatively associated train oitelements, including rotatable drivingand ultimately driven elements and an annular member having an internalengaging surface; one of said elements having a movement-imposingportion adjustable relative to the other elements into positions ofgreater or less eccentricity; segmentally shaped driving unitsdistributed about the axis ot said driving element and includedsin saidtrain, each such driving ter in the region of engagement, successiveintermittent engagements of each driving unit with its said engagedelement shifting around he latter by steps dependent upon said relativeeccentricity.

Variable speed transmission means comprising in combination rotatabledriving and driven elements; means relatively to adjust the axes of saidelements into positions of greater or less eccentricity; segmentallyshaped driving units distributed in a single plane about the axesot'said elements, each such unit having cranlclike con nection with oneof said elements, an annular member with which said units have circumferei'itially adjustable, rolling engagement, means to impart to saiddriving units andthe engaged element relative movement of approach intoand recession from effective driving engagement, and means operativelyconnecting said units and the other of said elements.

40. Variable speed transn'lission mechanism comprising in combination adrive shaft, a bearing thereon and adjustable to be concentric orvariably eccentric relative thereto, a gyratory element rotatable uponsaid bearing, a stationary element having an internal surface concentricWith said shaft, and means actuated by said drive shaft including acircumferential series of universally engageable driving membersoperatively related to said stationary element and said gyratory elementto cause rotation of said gyratory element sii nultaneously With andconsequent upon its gyration and at a speed dependent upon the extentof: eccentricity thereof.

41. Variable speed transmission mechanism comprising in combination adrive shaft, an element adjustably supported for gyration thereby androtatable relatively thereto, means operable during rotation of saidshaft to effect said adjustu'ient, a stationary element having a surfaceconcentric with said shaft, and means including a cirloo cumferentialseries of universally engageable driving members operatively related tosaid stationary element and said gyratory element to cause rotation ofsaid gyratory element simultaneously with and consequent upon itsgyrat-ion;

42. Variable speed transmission mechanism comprising in combination arotary driving element, a gyratory driven element rotatable about anaxis variable into posiy gyratory driven tions of greater or lesseccentricity with respect to the axis of said driving element, means togyrate said driven element, gear means operable during rotation of saiddriving element to vary said axis of rotation of said gyratory element,an annular member concentric With said driving element, and a series ofdriving members actuated by said driving element and connected with saidelement and sequentially engageable With said annular member in anyeccentric position of said gyratory driven element thereby to impartrotation to said gyratory driven element simultaneous 1- 5 with andconsequent upon the gyratory movement thereof and at a speed dependentupon the extent of eccentricity of the same.

48. Variable speed transmission mechanism comprising in combination arotary i2 driving element, an element operatively connected to saiddriving element for gyratory movement about the axis thereof and alsorotatable about an axis variably eccentrio to said axis of gyration, anannular member having an internal engaging surface of uniform diameterconcentric With said driving element a series of circumferential drivingmembers actuated by said driving element and connected to said gyratoryelement and having sequential functioning engagement With said annularmember to impart rotation to said gyratory ele ment simultaneous withand consequent upon the gyratory movement thereof and at a speeddependent upon the extent of eccentricity of its axis of rotation.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

BIOKNELL HALL.

